LFC 20/21 – The Good, The Bad The Ugly – Gameweek 11
Wolves sent packing, hit for four. Fans in the ground, who could ask for more? Where would the team be, God forbid, were it not for the kids. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.
The Good
Returning to winning ways in the league following a couple of indifferent displays. Liverpool welcomed Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield and duly sent them packing with a 4-0 humbling.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were in confident mood after an impressive victory over Arsenal in their last match. However, Jürgen Klopp’s team were in the least of charitable moods, following their disappointing draw with Brighton and Hove Albion in gameweek 10.
“Wolves couldn’t get into the game tonight […] because of the way my boys played”
In a match that saw the return of supporters in the ground (see The Not Bad below), Liverpool put on a dominant display, with goals shared out among Mo Salah, Gini Wijnaldum, and Joel Matip – in addition to a Nélson Semedo own goal. “Wolves couldn’t get into the game tonight and I think that was because of the way my boys played” enthused Klopp after the game and quite rightly so.
There was really only going to be one winner in this match. Made all the more impressive given the fact that former Wolves attacker Diogo Jota started the game on the bench. The Reds were rarely troubled in this encounter. When they were, young ‘keeper Caoimhin Kelleher performed admirably between the sticks, including one save early on, diverting Daniel Podence’s effort over the bar.
A worthy point to note is that Adrian remains on the bench and also didn’t feature in the win against Ajax the week before. It’s clear Klopp had lost faith with the Spaniard and to be fair, after a string of gaffes, there can’t be a right thinking fan who would disagree with the manager’s choice.
A special mention has to go to former Liverpool F.C. youth team captain Conor Coady who was dum enough to dive in the box under pressure from Sadio Mané. It was clear the Reds attacker had pulled away from the challenge and referee Craig Pawson had no option but to rule out his previous penalty decision.
Liverpool earn a comfortable win 🔴#LIVWOL pic.twitter.com/f8cRht9j4e
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 6, 2020
The Not Bad
The sight of fans in the stadium again. How cool was that? After what, nine months of absence? Albeit only 2,000 supporters on the hallowed Kop, the atmosphere in the ground was noticeably different. Not to mention the sound.
“And now tonight it was so enjoyable, it was so nice. We came out for warming up and we all had goosebumps, it was like ‘Oh my God!’ ”
It’s a strange sight watching supporters with masks on but to be honest, if this is what is needed, then so be it. And what a game to come back for. “…We all had goosebumps…” said Klopp on how it felt to see supporters back in the ground.
What with the introduction of the Corona vaccine as well this week, it seems as if things may finally be heading back toward normal or something close thereto. It’s clear – to me at least, as if there’s been a missing element to the odd results we’ve seen in the league this season.
This is of course, the fans. The heartbeat of the game. If Anfield can get even half full in the weeks and months to come, The the team will have their mojo back.
What a night to have the fans back 😁🙌🏾We’ve missed you ❤️ #YNWA #LIVWOL pic.twitter.com/ExHFykqSdB
— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) December 6, 2020
The Smugly
The emergence of Liverpool’s young players. They have performed admirably thus far this season and Klopp has paid tribute to them for the contribution they have made.
From adversity, chances have been afforded a number of younger members of the squad to step up and show what they can do. And they’ve all risen to the occasion.
The recent inclusion of Kelleher in goal – at the expense of Adrian, simply underlines the faith the manager and the club are putting in the young players. That faith has been repaid by a number of impressive performances. Not least from the young goalie but also in other positions.
Nathaniel Philips, Rhys Williams and Neco Williams have all delivered when called upon to do so. Yes, there have been one or two moments of inexperience here and there, but this is to be expected.
Perhaps with the exception of Neco Williams, I doubt any of the other names would have featured so prominently had it not been for the misfortune of a couple of other senior team members.
Curtis Jones is growing, not just literally, but also in influence. The 19 year-old has become an integral part of Klopp’s match day squad and has yet to disappoint in a red shirt.
The future is looking very bright indeed for Liverpool. Should the current set of youngsters – as well as those still coming through, continue to develop, there is no limit to what the club can achieve in the coming years.
Klopp has been quick to pay tribute to the young players who are showing they are more than capable of filling in for established players this season. “Without them we would be lost.” Said the manager ahead of the teams Champions League tie with F.C. Midtjylland.
What a fantabulous save from young Kelleher 👏👏👏. This would have legit scored if it was Adrian. #LIVWOL pic.twitter.com/rcGFIUG5hS
— JOTACHUKWU (@Oluwa_rejoice) December 6, 2020
Next Up
We have indeed the final Champions League group D match with Midtjylland followed by a trip down to the capital to take on Fulham.
While you’re here…
The latest book from the The Good, The Bad and The Ugly weekly is out now. Relive this historic season. Available for purchase on Amazon, or directly from The LFC File. Click here to secure your copy. Either as an eBook (€5) or as a physical paperback (€8).
